Code 16K
Multi-row (stacked) code in which each symbol can have between two and sixteen rows or stacks. >Each row is separated by a one module separator bar, and consists of 18 bars and 17 spaces. >The code is analogous to sentences in a paragraph.

Coercivity
Value of the opposing magnetic intensity that must be applied to a material to remove the residual magnetism when it has been magnetised to saturation.

CPS
Characters per second.

CRT
Cathode Ray Tube. Also called a terminal or monitor.

Data Matrix
Variable size two dimensional matrix symbology that is inherently omnidirectional. Data Matrix has a high degree error correction capability and is used primarily for part marking and tracking.

Decoder
A software or hardware means of translating bar codes into alphanumeric data. A bar code reader is required to scan the information into the decoder.

Density
The term used to designate the compactness of a bar code which measures the narrowest element (usually in mils) of that bar code.

Depth of Field
The distance between the maximum and minimum plane in which a bar code reader is capable of reading symbols.

Direct Thermal
A process in which a set of pins on a printhead are selectively heated onto heat-sensitive paper (or label stock). In turn, the paper turns dark and a bar code is formed. Over time, a Direct Thermal image will eventually fade. Also known as Thermal Printing.

DPI
Dots per inch.

EAN
EAN is a voluntary, non-profit standards development association active in numbering, bar coding, and EDI messages for products, services, utilities, and transport units and locations. The EAN system is fully compatible with the Universal Product Code (UPC).

FCC
Federal Communication Commission.

First Read Rate
The ratio of the number of successful reads to the number of attempts.

FFO
Fixed Focus Optics technology utilises a small aperture and non-moving lenses to digitise an image over a wider range of distance than the traditional CCD reader.

Infrared Laser Diode
An invisible light beam used in some bar code readers to scan a bar code that is invisible to the human eye. This technology is used specifically to prohibit people from visually reading the bar code. Analogous to night vision goggles.

Interleaved Bar Code
A bar code in which characters are paired together using bars to represent the first character and spaces to represent the second character. Interleaved 2 of 5 A numeric only bar code consisting of five bars. Two bars are wide, three are narrow. Used generally in industrial and master carton labelling.

OCR
Optical Character Recognition is a technology designed specifically to read certain stylised fonts (such as OCR-A and OCR-B) containing the full alphanumeric character set. The term OCR is also used when translating and inputting other stylised fonts (such as Courier) or text found in magazines and newspapers into a computer. This technology is also referred to as Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR).

OCR-A
Character set used for optical character recognition and described in ANSI Standard X3.17-1981.

OCR-B
Character set used for optical character recognition and described in ANSI Standard X3.49-1975.

PCS
Print Contrast Signal is the measurement of the ratio of the reflectivities between the bars and spaces of a symbol.

Ribbon
Material used with thermal transfer printers producing visible marks on a label (or substrate). A printhead is heated and the ribbon is burned onto the label stock producing the bar code.

Reflectance
The light which is reflected back from the white spaces of a bar code during scanning. Resolution See Density.

RS-232
The most common communication interface (e.g. serial (COM) port) standard using a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) and DCE (Data Communications Equipment) interface. Also known as serial communication.

RS-422
The second most common communication interface standard which extends beyond the 100 feet limitation of RS-232 data communication supporting a maximum distance of 4000 feet.

Start-Stop Character
The left-most and right-most characters respectively of a horizontal bar code that provides the scanner with start and stop reading instructions as well as scanning direction.

Substrate
The surface on which a bar code is printed.

Symbol
A set of characters and marks including start/stop, quiet zones, data, and check characters required by a particular symbology that form a integrated readable (scannable) element.

Thermal
See Direct Thermal.

Thermal Transfer
A process in which a set of pins on a printhead are selectively heated onto a ribbon and the ink from the ribbon is burned (transferred) onto the label stock. Thermal transfer leaves a permanent image on the label.

2-Dimensional Bar Code
Two dimensional symbology composed of rows of data arranged in a rectangular or square pattern. The rows of data are stacked onto each other to encode an array of data.

UCC
Uniform Code Council is an organisation which administers the UPC and other retail standards.

UPC
Universal Product Code is the standard bar code symbol for retail packaging in the United States.

Visible Laser Diode
Used in most hand held scanners to project a visible red light for scanning human readable bar codes.

Verifier
A device which measures the characteristics of a bar code including the contrast, reflectance, modulation, and compliance with the parameters of the bar code symbology.

Wand
A pen-like scanning device used as a contact bar code reader.

Wedge
A hardware device or software program (Software Wedge) which uses a scanner for input and sends data directly into an application by emulating a keyboard stroke. A wedge (hardware wedge) is an external device and plugs between the keyboard and terminal.

WYSIWYG
"What You See Is What You Get" is a term used to describe the presentation of the printable output viewed as is on the terminal.

X Dimension
The dimension of the narrowest bar in a bar code.

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